Dutch is natively spoken by about 24 million people, primarily in the Netherlands and Belgium, with smaller communities in Suriname, the Caribbean, and the Dutch diaspora. It is an integral part of Dutch cultural identity, known for its rich tradition in art, literature, and commerce. Written in the Latin alphabet, Dutch grammar features a free word order, uses gendered nouns, and has a system of verb conjugations to indicate tense and mood.
Stats
Language Family: Indo-European
Writing System: Latin
Writing System Type: Alphabet
Writing Direction: L to R
Tones / Pitch Accent: N
Morphology: Partially Analytic
Cases: 4
Grammatical Gender / Noun Class: 2
Number of Verb Tenses: 2
Word Order: Free
Number of Vowels (Monophthongs): 13
Number of Consonants: 19
Areas Where Spoken
Aruba (Netherlands) (official) (6.1%) (6 k)
Belgium (official) (54.2%) (6.33 mil)
Caribbean Netherlands (Netherlands) (official) (8.8%) (2 k)
Curaçao (Netherlands) (official) (8.0%) (12 k)
Netherlands (official) (95.6%) (16.9 mil)
Sint Maarten (Netherlands) (official) (5.0%) (2 k)
Suriname (official) (~ 60%) (~ 371 k)
Resources
Books
Basic Dutch: A Grammar and Workbook (Routledge Grammar Workbooks) 1st Edition https://www.amazon.com/Basic-Dutch-Grammar-Workbook-Workbooks/dp/0415774438/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3A30H7FXVCVPZ&keywords=dutch+basic+grammar&qid=1688874670&sprefix=dutch+basic+gram%2Caps%2C374&sr=8-1
Intermediate Dutch: A Grammar and Workbook (Grammar Workbooks) 1st Edition https://www.amazon.com/Intermediate-Dutch-Grammar-Workbook-Workbooks/dp/0415774446/ref=sr_1_1?crid=346VC1S8KX7ZI&keywords=dutch+intermediate+grammar&qid=1688874709&sprefix=dutch+intermediate+gram%2Caps%2C373&sr=8-1
Music
Je Moerstaal: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DWUX3x84bv557?si=8f2182a375ed463b Discover latest release of Dutch songs! Playlist is updated every Friday
Websites
To get an idea of your current level: https://www.transparent.com/learn-dutch/proficiency-test.html https://www.languagetrainers.com/dutch-level-test.php
Grammar for visual learners! Short and conscise: https://zichtbaarnederlands.nl/en
Comprehensive site that thoroughly explain grammar components: https://www.dutchgrammar.com/
Library events to learn Dutch: https://www.bibliotheekutrecht.nl/informatiepunt/informatiepunt-taal.html
Videos
YouTube Easy Dutch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfLpmZNFX8U&t=10s
Perfect to enhance your speaking & listening skills while immersing yourself in Dutch culture. Learn how to speak naturally as the host interviews the locals.
TV
Dutch national & regional news: https://www.w3newspapers.com/netherlands/